Teasing was considered a love language in my home growing up. If anyone knows my oldest brother, Barry or knew my Dad, then you know how quickly amusing moments became.
That sense of humor gave me quite the feeling of acceptance this past week. Another nurse and respiratory therapist were teasing me about how I got teary eyed after a delivery a few weeks ago. See, the NICU attends a lot of deliveries and many of those babies we are able to assess and take to newborn nursery. That's the good news. But it's surprising to me how many families are NOT present at the newborn nursery window oohing and awing over their newest addition.

One particular night, we went to a C-section, caught the baby, assessed, ID'd and transported to newborn nursery. Dad accompanied the baby as usual, but when the nursery nurse opened that window there were a slew of people with cameras and smiles and tears pointing at their greatest little treasure. That brand new baby. It warmed my heart, because sadly enough, not all babies are received in that manner.

Well, to make light of my sensitivity, my coworkers teased me this last week about the deliveries I attended; asking me if I was going to get choked up and so on. Silly girls. This progressed on to joking about the way I tend to look for the good in conversations or situations.

I really felt like I belonged. It was those light hearted interactions that only people have when they're comfortable with one another. Like my crazy family did. But it got me thinking. What wires me to look for the positive in things? And that again, goes right back to my family. My parents were two of the most positive people I've known.

My Mom & Dad instilled in me, at a very young age, not to focus on the negative. We can see the obvious and accept reality, but we don't let it become our focus. This mentality is reflected right here on this blog. It’s where the “blessed journey” stems from.

I learned early what makes a person "blessed." Is it all the wonderful things that happen in one’s life? Is it a faithful spouse or obedient children? Is it financial prosperity or career advancements? No. While these all are definitely counted as blessings, those circumstances don't determine if we are indeed blessed.

Psalm 139:5, “You go before me and follow me. You place your hand of blessing on my head.”
A blessed life is knowing that we have a loving God who is with us through the good times and bad. No circumstance we face is unfamiliar to Him. That is security! It is actually the unpleasant times that make me realize how blessed I am, to know that I’m not alone and that I will make it through. When we can find the good in situations, the benefit, the lesson, the opportunity for growth, then it's impossible to not feel blessed. And that knowledge affects our outlook. It’s the basis for a positive attitude. It’s joy and happiness regardless.

Be blessed in your journey.

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It was probably a little crazy. And there was probably little chance. But I just had to send a copy of #transformingtragedy to @markbatterson — Reading the book, you’ll see what an influence he’s been on my life. You can only imagine my excitement to hear back from him! Wow! Just wow! Praying he reads it. 🙏🏼🙌🏻 #notesofencouragement #stewardingthestory #changingpainfultopowerful #ameaningfulmemoir

How neat having @onesonicsociety with us @agcoweta this morning! What a beautiful time of worship. Enjoyed meeting these guys. Prayers over each of their opportunities to share the light of love of Jesus ☀️ #praiseandworship #musicministry #livingthelove #beingthelight #sharingthemessage

A beautiful start to the day sharing “Care Beyond a Career” with students at the Northeast Technology Center in Pryor ☀️ They blessed me as a speaker, and a writer, and they even sent me home with a goodie bag of keepsakes! 🙌🏻 #healthcarecareers #nursesinthemaking #carebeyondacareer #livetoserve #patienttonurse #stewardingthestory #inspirationalspeaker

Are you part of the Coweta Community?! Well, you can now purchase Transforming Tragedy downtown @4_tons_of_blessings Misty is a picture of support and vision investing into 20 copies of our book. So PLEASE go buy her out! 🙌🏻❤️#christmasiscoming #ameaningfulmemoir #changingpainfultopowerful #stewardingthestory #transformingtragedy #smalltownbusiness #makingabigdifference #hometown

It’s a privilege. It’s a responsibility. Threw on one of my snazzy Mickey hats, loaded up my favorite black lab and Mr Caden Robert too to #govote ! Love that we get stickers! Wonder if we could start getting suckers too 🤔☺️#democracy #thankful #lovethiscountry #ballotbox #govisit #letyourvoicebeheard #makeyourmark

I got to deliver 20 copies of Transforming Tragedy to Nettie Ann's Bakery in Chouteau today! Nettie has been such a sweet gift of support to my offerings through speaking and writing. Please visit her to get your copy— and grab ya some chicken pot pie and cinnamon rolls while you’re there (I did! 😋) — *contact me for a wholesalers discount if you’re interested in carrying our book too 🙌🏻 #ameaningfulmemoir #transformingtragedy #changingpainfultopowerful #businessowner #homemadegoodness #freshfood #tastytreats #smallbusinessesmakingadifference

THE MOST perfect fall evening for this amazing couple to make their start! Congratulations, Lauren and Maverick! We love you both super much! ❤️ #watchedhergrowup #allherlife #likeaniece #andnowanephew #extendedfamily #preciousbond #bestwedding

That tall guy in the birthday hat is pretty special to us. So glad we got to be a part of his 18th bday celebration! 🎉🎂🎈 #milestonebirthday #daughtersboyfriend #familypackage #weareabitmuch #hesbrave #raisingfour #coveredingrace